Enjoy Spanish Green Beans - a savory, satisfying side dish with a hint of smoky paprika! Ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect as a side dish or for a tapas night.
Spanish Green Beans is a straightforward and simple, yet flavorful recipe that brings together humble ingredients and turns them into a special side dish.
Tender green beans are perfectly blanched and coated in a rich tomato sauce infused with the smoky depth of paprika and the aromatic notes of garlic and thyme.
This dish embodies the heartiness and warmth of Spanish cooking, offering a satisfying and rustic addition to any meal.
We love serving it with grilled chicken or steaks, as well as with other side dishes for a fun tapas night at home.
Serve your green beans alongside Mayonnaise Chicken Breasts, Garlic Parmesan Wings, or Spanish Chicken Stew.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Bursting with flavor from aromatic spices and tangy tomatoes.
- Versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses.
- A healthier alternative to traditional green bean recipes, without sacrificing taste.
- A taste of Spain, with smoky spices and fresh flavors.
- Serve it up for a tapas night alongside patatas bravas, chorizo, and Spanish beans.
Ingredients
You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe!
- Green Beans: Fresh and crisp, green beans add a pop of color and texture to the dish. If fresh isn’t available, frozen green beans can be used as a substitute.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and depth of flavor to the dish. Can be substituted with another cooking oil if preferred.
- Butter: Imparts a creamy richness to the sauce. For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter or omit altogether.
- Onion: Provides a savory base flavor for the dish. Yellow or white onions work well here.
- Garlic: Adds a bold, aromatic flavor to the sauce. Fresh garlic is preferred, but garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
- Smoked Paprika: Infuses the dish with a subtle smokiness and depth of flavor. Regular paprika can be used as a substitute.
- Dried Thyme: Offers earthy, herbaceous notes to complement the other flavors in the dish.
- Salt and Pepper: To season and enhance the overall taste of the dish.
- Diced Tomatoes: Adds a tangy sweetness and helps create the base sauce for the green beans. Fresh tomatoes can be used when in season.
See the recipe card for quantities and method.
How to make Spanish Green Beans
Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.
Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook (blanch) for about 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
Drain the green beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
Meanwhile, In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
Add the onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes, stirring often.
Add the minced garlic, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper and continue to cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour the diced tomatoes (with their juice) into the skillet.
Cook the tomato mixture for about 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
Add the blanched green beans to the skillet, tossing them in the tomato mixture until well coated.
Allow the green beans to simmer in the sauce for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, fish, or steak.
- Spoon over cooked rice or quinoa for a hearty vegetarian meal.
- Top with a fried egg for a satisfying breakfast or brunch option.
- Enjoy cold as a refreshing salad, perfect for picnics or packed lunches.
Variations
- Add some heat with a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Stir in cooked chorizo or crispy bacon for added protein and flavor.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the finished dish for a cheesy twist.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as rosemary or cumin, to customize the flavor profile.
More Side Dish Recipes
Storage Advice
- Store leftover Spanish Green Beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the green beans during blanching – they should be tender but still have a slight crunch.
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth to the skillet.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences – more paprika for extra smokiness or a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Make sure to stir the green beans occasionally while simmering to ensure they are evenly coated in the sauce and cook evenly.
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📖 Recipe
Spanish Green Beans
Equipment
- Pot
- Colander
- Sautee Pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 14 ounce can diced tomatoes (or use fresh tomatoes, chopped)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook (blanch) for about 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
- Drain the green beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
- Meanwhile, In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the minced garlic, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper and continue to cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour the diced tomatoes (with their juice) into the skillet.
- Cook the tomato mixture for about 5-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Add the blanched green beans to the skillet, tossing them in the tomato mixture until well coated.
- Allow the green beans to simmer in the sauce for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Heather
So good, so flavorful, these green beans were amazing! The smoked paprika rally adds the perfect depth of flavor, thank you so much! I'll be making these regularly!
Kushi Mallya
THis was easy and surprisling good. Had it with fried calamari and butter beans.
Tayler
I’m always looking for new ways to make veggie side dishes and these green beans were perfect with our grilled steak.
Paula
Woahhhh these Spanish green beans were out of this world delish! Stole the show for the whole dinner. yummy!